162 thp: practical side of 



lean to fat, it is necessary not only to look to 

 those breeds which are best adapted to 

 fulfil these requirements, but to individual 

 animals of the breed. The Large White, for 

 instance, is exceptionally valuable, but this 

 remark cannot, and does not, apply to all 

 pigs of this variety. The great majority of 

 the pigs of any pure breed are inferior, and 

 useless for the purpose indicated. We have 

 therefore to look for good representatives 

 of the variety which we select, and it is for 

 this reason that a first-class Berkshire pig, 

 which is much smaller then either of the 

 large breeds, is superior to second-class 

 specimens of either. If a Large White sow of 

 exceptional size and quality is compared 

 with sows which are so frequently seen in 

 breeders' yards, and which are supposed to 

 be normal specimens, the difference will be 

 recognised as ludicrous. One of the most 

 important reasons why this is the case may 

 be explained. A breeder of pigs is anxious 

 to obtain a good strain of a given variety. 

 He has seen magnificent specimens in the 

 show-yard or in the piggery of some other 

 breeder, and he determines, in consequence, 

 to purchase a sow for breeding purposes. lie 

 applies to a successful exhibitor for a young 



